2010 Favorite Things

It seems shallow summarising the year with material things, however when you really think about it there are reasons--and quite personal ones too behind each item.

Anyways, these are my favorite things this year. I'm sure there are a lot more that I loved but did not make the list.

A good number of these items were gifts, which makes it more special :)

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I turned thirty this year. My mom kept referring to it as my pearl anniversary, I never really saw it that way. For me, it was another checkbox and higher insurance premium. I love these earrings! Not only because they are lovely but more so because of the drama (okay, maybe not the drama), the thought, effort and care taken to get them to me. This was a very indulgent present. Thank you.

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I think those who are very close to me would know how colourful this year had been for me. It is not a surprise that it reflected on other areas of my life too!I love this palette! It is such a bonus that the other bold color is green--clearly the blue eagle who got this for me had seen the light ;)I had always wanted liners that (1) last all day, (2) never run and (3) have lovely colors. I'm so glad I found out about these :)I had NEVER, in my whole life felt as anxious to get any cosmetic product as much as these! Who is the fairest of them all?This sort of reminds me of Francis M's Kaleidoscope World. RIP Francis M.

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I always tell myself to act my age. I could be quite picky on what I wear because, well...I want to dress my age too, the thing is though, I am a child at heart. These are my favorite sneakers :) I got them this time last year. It has a golden pair somewhere out there too.I've worn these so much that they are no longer white--which I hate. I don't mind them being, off white, but it is just wrong for them to be gray. Boooo.I haven't worn this as much as the other two, but it makes me want to shout WHAT"S GOING ON?!?!?!

Some things are non-negotiable for me. In fact this year, I let go, with an aching heart, A LOT of swimwear that I thought were too young for me. Nah. I'm not posting any photo of the replacements. Not even on next year's favorite things entry.

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In line with my attempt at a second chance to wear Docs, I also expressed my inner rockstar by sporting studs. I especially like the pyramid details. I didn't get a picture of all my stuff with studs. I'm keeping this entry for my favorite ones :) I love them best in shoes.I think this is close to the end of its lifetime--only because I had worn them so many times! I know that there is no other shoe that I wore more than this in 2010!As you can see from the photo, these sandals are well utilised too. Like the previous shoes, I think this too will reach end of life soon. These were my staple weekend sandals in 2010.While this pair share the same traits as the other two, I had only worn them once in 2010. I imagine though that I'd probably be sporting these quite frequently this year. The future. This was a present from a very thoughtful--and observant individual :)

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Every now and then, you surprise yourself.

Last year I surprised myself in a big--but good way. The difference was quite dramatic compared to last time. That's all I'm saying.I shocked myself and rochness by incorporating some print into my wardrobe, and I even got these shoes. The selling point for me was the pony hair! DAD... I WANT A PONY (hair ballet flats).

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I went crazy over a pair of shoes last year. Seriously crazy. I guess it was because of the details and the different textures.The one. I found the one in 2010.

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Oh, and I took all the photos :)

I didn't get my camera in 2010, but it is sure one of my favorite things this lifetime. No joke.

2010

This year, I am grateful for a lot of things.

I think first would be the gift of forgiveness. It is easy feel nothing, but somehow seemingly impossible to forget--for me. This year, I felt a part of me come alive, waking from a paralysis that is bore from years of indifference. I am happy for this second chance. It should not go without saying that while it is a personal decision, I appreciate encouragement I had received from friends and loved ones. I know it took me forever, but there is such as perfect timing.

I also went home to my home country after three years. In fact, I went back twice. I realised that where I'm from, there is (literally) music wherever you go. It doesn't matter if you are in the grocery, mall, gym, in transit between buildings, there is always music. You sort of get used to it, so you never notice, but in the couple of weeks that I was back, there is was. Music. I miss that.

We also move homes. I love how all my things fit in my room. I am also happy that my room is no longer an eyesore in our lovely home :)

Oh, I finally got my mannequin too! Sewing was not as big this year as it was in 2009, but I did a LOT of alterations. I'm not sure if that counts.

I saw my favorite aunt who I have not seen in 15 years! It is funny how she didn't look like she aged at all. In fact, I think she looks younger now.

I went cold turkey and stopped drinking my favorite, Coke Light. It should be good for me in the long run, there is still a struggle in my head whenever I eat anything charred.

I've finally become decent with the way I line my eyes. I knew that at some point, it would stop being such a big effort and will take no time at all to put on. Practice, practice, practice. It had been a constant frustration but with a lot of help from the make up gurus in YouTube, the best (in my book) gel eyeliner and a good brush, I have conquered... eyelining.

Yes, zapping. I will not elaborate.

I did some traveling this year too. That was exciting. I loooooooove the photos. And I can almost hear my mom say "Next time maybe you want to send us pictures from your trip that actually show YOU".

Yoga. My flexibility still remains poor, but at its feeble state, it had been such an improvement. I had discovered a class that I actually look forward to going to!

I also saw a number of good performances. I loved Simply Red! I think that sort of stood out from all the concerts I saw this year. Maybe Green Day kicked off really well in January, so it was one good show after the other.

Wicked was really wicked ;) Loved it!

Movies! My favorite movie this year is L'arnacoeur. Other favorites are Inception, Despicable Me, Never Let Me Go and Lovely Bones. I saw Love in the time of Cholera this year too, but I'm not sure if that counts because it was released in a different year. I hate that Black Swan is not yet showing here! I have to wait till February 2011.

On the telly, Dexter and South Park remain my favorites. I love Lie to Me though! I'm also starting to warm up to Master Chef, I find myself engrossed every time I catch it on.

On books, the Millennium Trilogy as a highlight this year. I also discovered Philip Roth and stumbled back into the arms of Mike Gayle and not to mention my all time favorite writer, Neil Gaiman.

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I honestly want to write some more, but I have lost all will to continue doing so because my stomach is growling, plus I need to get ready for to head out.

Happy New Year! :)

still nothing

Why is it that I can't seem to be able to write about the last year thoroughly? Maybe because I somewhat feel that this year's happenings are broken down into more manageable chunks. Not unlike User Stories.

I remember having a draft in my head last night. Now, everything seems lost.

I also want to write an "advise to myself" entry. Maybe, I'll be inspired to write that after this entry. Or after lunch.

prelude to a proper piece

It is almost half way through December and I can't help but run significant (personal) events that happened this year in my head.

This should be a proper entry, not something you tap while waiting for you watermelon shake to be refilled--or the cheese cake to go down.

And so this will be a short one--a prelude, about someone still somewhat significant.

I guess the thing that may be most apparent to people close to me is HIM, or his absence in my life.

I noticed too, that some started treating me different--not better or worse, just different.

The same go for invitations.

There were questions--95% of them unanswered, about what kind of relationship I have with HIM, now that things are different between us.

I think it is only fair that they ask him too. For me though, we are good. And it is not surprising really. Really.

There could have been awkwardness, maybe even resentment, but respect conquers all. In my version of our book, that is the title of the last chapter.

My drink is here. More retrospective thoughts soon.